Environmental Impact

Assessment (EIA)

Lecture prepared for

Project Management Course
EIA
EIA is a systematic process to identify, predict and
evaluate the environmental effects of proposed
actions and projects.
A broad definition of environment is adopted.
Whenever appropriate social, cultural and health
effects are also considered as an integral part of EIA.
Finally, particular attention is given in EIA for
preventing, mitigating and offsetting the significant
adverse effects of proposed undertakings
 Definition

It is a planning and management tool for

sustainable development that seeks to identify the
type, magnitude and probability of environmental
and social changes likely to occur as direct or
indirect result of a project or policy and to design
the possible mitigation procedure (Vanclay and
Bronstein, 1995; Harvey, 1998; Momtaz et al.,
1998; Thomas, 1998).
 EIA is a tool that is applied

before major decisions are taken and when all alternatives

are still open;
to inform all stages of decision making, including final
approval and the establishment of conditions for project
implementation;
with public participation and consultation; and
to integrate environmental considerations and safeguards
into all phases of project design, construction and operation
 History
The National Environmental Policy Act 1969 of USA is the
legislative basis for EIA. The policy was the result of wide
spread recognition in the 1960s that some major
environmental problems were created by the governments
projects (power stations, dams and reservoirs, industrial
complexes).
The legislation made mandatory to assess the
environmental consequences of all projects by federal
agencies.
In 1990s, many developed and some developing countries
designed their EIA legislation. e.g. New Zealand (1991),
Canada (1995), Australia (1999), Vietnam (1993), Uganda
(1994), Ecuador (1997).
Today, EIA is firmly established in planning process in
many of these countries.
 International Obligations
KEY Instruments/events
EIA requirements and
procedures applied by
international financial and
aid agencies
Amendment of EC
Directive on EIA (1997)
UNECE - Convention on
EIA in a Trans-boundary
Context (1991)
Requirements/Outcome
Providing loans and implementing
projects in developing countries.
Required all member states to be in
compliance by 1999; also assisted in
drafting the EIA laws of transitional
economies who are in the process of
accession to the European Union.
Entered into force in 1997 as the first EIA-
specific international treaty.
 Purposes/Aims and Objectives
The immediate aim of EIA is to inform the process of
decision-making by identifying the potentially
significant environmental effects and risks of
development proposals.

Objectives related to this aim are to:

improve the environmental design of the proposal;
ensure that resources are used appropriately and
efficiently;
identify appropriate measures for mitigating the
potential impacts of the proposal; and
facilitate informed decision making, including setting
the environmental terms and conditions for
implementing the proposal.
 Purposes/Aims and Objectives (cont.)
The ultimate (long term) aim of EIA is to promote
sustainable development by ensuring that
development proposals do not undermine critical
resource and ecological functions or the well being,
lifestyle and livelihood of the communities and peoples
who depend on them.

Objectives related to this aim are to:

protect human health and safety;
avoid irreversible changes and serious damage to the
environment;
safeguard valued resources, natural areas and
ecosystem components; and
enhance the social aspects of the proposal.
 Regions Major Environmental Issues
Africa The continent has the worlds poorest and most resource dependent
population. It carries the highest health burden due to severe
environmental problems. These include desertification and soil
degradation, declining food security, and increasing water scarcity.
Asia and Rapid economic growth, urbanization and industrialization have
Pacific helped in poverty alleviation but also increased pressure on land and
water resources, widespread environmental degradation and high
pollution levels. Mega- cities are a particular focus of environmental
and health concerns.
Eastern Despite progress with economic restructuring and environmental
Europe and clean up, there is a legacy of industrial pollution and contaminated
Central Asia land during communist era. In many areas, emissions of particulates,
SO2, lead, heavy metals and toxic chemicals continue to expose the
residents to health risks, and, in the Balkans, war and regional
conflict have exacted a heavy environmental and social toll.
Latin Approximately three-quarters of the population live in urban areas.
America Many cities are poor, overcrowded, polluted and lack basic
and the infrastructure. The major environmental issue is the destruction of
Caribbean tropical forests and consequent loss of biodiversity, which is
especially serious in the Amazon basin.
Steps in EIA
 Proposal
identification

EIA required Screening No EIA

Initial
Scoping environmental
examination

Impact analysis

Mitigation
and impact
management
*Public involvement
Resubmit EIA report
*Public involvement typically
occurs at these points.
It may also occur at any
Redesign Review other stage of the EIA Process

Not approved Decision-making

Approved
Information from this process
contributes to effective EIAin the future
Implementation
and post-EIA
monitoring
Step 1: Screening
This step determines:
whether or not EIA is required for a particular
project
what level of EIA is required

Screening Outcomes:
Full or comprehensive EIA required
Limited EIA required
No EIA required
Tools for Screening
Project lists:
Inclusive listed projects must undergo EIA
Exclusive listed projects exempted from EIA

Case-by-case examinations:
determine whether projects may have significant
environmental effects
if so, project should undergo EIA

Combination of above
Screening Process

Mandatory EIA
Inclusive threshold

Case-by-case
consideration
of requirement Indicative threshold
for EIA

Exclusive threshold
EIA ruled out
Step 2: Scoping
begins once screening is completed
the most important step in EIA
establishes the content and scope of an EIA report

Outcome:
identifies key issues and impacts to be considered
lays the foundation of an effective process, saves time
and money, and reduces conflict
 Types of Scoping
Closed scoping:
wherein the content and scope of an EIA Report is
pre-determined by law and modified through closed
consultations between a developer and the
competent authority
Open or Public scoping:
a transparent process based on public consultations
Actors
proponent, EIA consultant, supervisory authority
for EIA, other responsible agencies, affected public
and interested public
The scoping process
prepare a scope outline
develop the outline
through informal
consultation with
environmental and
health authorities
make the outline
available
compile an extensive list
of concerns
evaluate relevant
concerns to establish key
issues
organise key issues into
impact categories (study
list)
amend the outline
accordingly
develop Terms of
reference (ToR) for
impact analysis
monitor progress against
the ToR, revising as
necessary
SCOPING
 EXAMPLE : SCOPING
IMPACT OF A PROPOSED PAPER INDUSTRY

A PAPER INDUSTRY IS PROPOSED TO BE ESTABLISHED IN A

LOCALITY AND THE EFFLUENT IS PROPOPED TO DISCHARGE
IN ADJACENT RIVER

ETP WILL BE INSTALLED TO BRIING THE DISCHARGE

DOWN TO PERMISSIBLE LIMIT

THERE ARE FEW OTHER INDUSTRIES ALREADY ESTABLISHED

DISCHARGING EFFLUENT TO THE RIVER AT ALLOWABLE LIMIT

PEOPLE BATH IN RIVER WATER AND DRINK AFTER

TREATMENT

SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PEOPLE DEPEND ON FISHING FOR

OCCUPATION
MAJOR ISSUES
(SCOPING)

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL

ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENT

THE LEVEL OF INCREASE EUTROPHICATION (EFFLUENT

GASEOUS AIR POLLUTANTS CONTAINING N ,P)

POSSIBLE CHANGE IN NOISE PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACT

LEVEL
FISH KILLS
CHANGE IN DOWNSTREAM DO
DUE TO DISCHARGE OF
AQUEOUS EFFLUENT (ORGANIC
MATTER)
MAJOR ISSUES
(SCOPING)

THE HUMAN (SOCIAL) THE HUMAN (ECONOMIC)

ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENT

AFFECT ON FISHERIES AND POSSIBILTY OF INCREASING

AQUACULTURE AS A LIVLIHOOD DRINKING WATER TREATMENT
FOR THE COMMUNITY COST

URBANIZATION TREND AND PRODUCTIVE HOUR LOSS DUE TO

RELATED PROBLEM ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION

SCOPE OF JOB CREATION HEATH TREATMENT COST

Step 3: Impact Analysis
Type biophysical, social, health or economic
Nature direct or indirect, cumulative, etc.
Magnitude or high, moderate, low
severity
Extent local, regional, trans-boundary or global
Timing immediate/long term
Duration temporary/permanent
Uncertainty low likelihood/high probability
Reversibility reversible/irreversible
Significance* unimportant/important
Tools for Impact Analysis

checklists
matrices
networks
overlays and geographical information systems (GIS)
expert systems
professional judgement
Step 4: Impact Mitigation

to avoid, minimise or remedy adverse

impacts
to ensure that residual impacts are within
acceptable levels
to enhance environmental and social
benefits
 Framework for Impact Mitigation

Common (desirable)
Alternative sites or
Avoidance technology to
eliminate habitat loss

Actions during
design, construction and
Mitigation operation to minimise
or eliminate habitat
loss

Used as a last resort

Compensation to offset habitat loss
Rare (undesirable)
Step 5: Reporting

Different name of EIA reports

Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA Report)
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
Environmental Statement (ES)
Environmental Assessment Report (EA Report)
Environmental Effects Statement (EES)
 Contents of the Report
a description of the project;
an outline of the main alternatives studied by the developer, and
an indication of the main reasons for this choice,
a description of the aspects of the environment likely to be
significantly affected by the proposed project;
a description of the likely significant environmental effects of the
proposed project;
measures to prevent, reduce and possibly offset adverse
environmental effects;
a non-technical summary;
an indication of any difficulties (technical deficiencies or
lack of know-how) encountered while compiling the required
information.
Step 6: Review
Review the quality of the EIA report.
Take public comments into account.
Determine if the information is sufficient.
Identify any deficiencies to be corrected.

Who Perform the review?

environmental agency Canada (comprehensive studies), standing
commission Netherlands, inter-agency committee USA, planning
authority UK
independent panel Canada (public inquiries)
Public comment and input
Step 7: Decision Making

To provide key input to help determine if a proposal is

acceptable

To help establish environmental terms and conditions for

project implementation
Step 8: Monitoring
Ensure the implementation of conditions attached to a
decision.

Verify that impacts are as predicted or permitted.

Confirm that mitigation measures are working as

expected.

Take action to manage any unforeseen changes.

 Key components of Monitoring

Establish baseline conditions.

Measure impacts of a project as constructed.
Verify conformity with established with conditions
and acceptable limits.
Establish links to environmental management plans.
Carry out periodic checks and third-party audits.
Public Involvement in the EIA Steps
Screening
To consult people likely to be affected by
proposal.
Scoping To ensure that significant issues are identified;
project related information is gathered, alternatives
are considered.
Impact analysis To avoid biases/inaccuracies in analysis; identify local
values/preferences; assist in consideration of
Mitigation
mitigation measures; select best alternative.
and impact
management

EIA report

Review
To consider and comment on EIA Report

Decision making

Implementation
To monitor the implementation of EIA Reports
and monitoring recommendations and decisions conditions.
 End of a Short
Summary of EIA

What is EIA? State its aims and objectives.

Draw the entire EIA process and describe the steps.
How the concern of public is taken account in EIA?